Cross-border travel issues a major factor in cancellation of Upper Murray league season

League delegates decided last night the competition was untenable following further COVID and border bubble restrictions.

After a 70-minute online meeting, league president Gordon Nicholas moved the motion to cancel the season, which was unanimously accepted the delegates from each club.

Operations manager Nadia Edwards said it was a regrettable decision for all involved, but stressed it wasn't a snap decision.

"It's been very hard because individually there are players that still want to play and there are still clubs who wanted it to continue, but it was getting really hard with all the cross-border issues and trying to travel to NSW," Edwards said.

"For Tumbarumba, they have many parents and players from Wagga, so all the new restrictions mean they can't cross into Victoria.

"That impacted Tumbarumba a lot and there were a lot of clubs who had players from Melbourne, so with these rules where you're only supposed to travel where you need to go, that also affected Bullioh and Corryong.

"A tough call had to be made at some point because how long can we keep meeting every night to discuss what we're going to do?

"Individuals will be upset and it will be hard to gain momentum after we had such a positive start to our season after the amalgamation talks and bushfires and the loss of five boys, but at the end of the day our community and the people who live here are just as important."

Edwards said the plan was for the season to resume with round eight fixtures and to scrap round 11, which was the last matches played on July 10, to ensure all five clubs had faced each other twice and there was no disparity on the ladder.

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The league had also considered playing the clash between Tumbarumba and Bullioh at Lavington's Urana Road Oval to avoid any issues for those travelling outside the border bubble in NSW, but the request was knocked by Albury Council.

"We also considered going to Tumbarumba (to play) all the time, but some committees were fearful with the jobs they hold here if they came into contact with someone who has been in the Wagga area," Edwards added.

"It's not something we've made a snap decision on like people think, we've met all the time and it's been hard when you meet on Zoom.

"Some of the meetings we've had face to face have been so relaxed and enjoyable because we want this league to continue, but when you go on Zoom it's really hard and the vibes aren't the same.

"Last night we all logged off feeling a bit down."

An amalgamated junior competition will be played this weekend.

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